The Thai Consulate Office in Los Angeles wrote in its Facebook page that the lowest rate of the current recently in the river where the car is partially submerged was 550 cubic feet per second (15.6 cubic metres per second). “The search and rescue unit estimates that it should lower to 400 and the team will assess the operation,” the consulate said.

The bodies of the two students, Bhakapon Chairatanathongporn and Thiwadee Saengsuriyarit, have been trapped in the partially submerged car since July 30. It is believed that they were heading to Kings Canyon National Park when their car plunged off a highway and over the cliff.

It has been confirmed that both students’ bodies are inside the vehicle, but local US authorities have been unable to recover them citing bad weather, strong winds and the river current.

Following pressure from the families and the Thai community, US authorities told them that the recovery of the bodies and safety of their personnel was top priority.

On Monday, a group of Thais living in Los Angeles visited Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, which is responsible for the operation, to offer moral support and give flowers to officials. They visited the site of the accident and held a vigil candlelight for the students.

Meanwhile, families of the students made merit for the victims at Wat Dhammasujitto in Big Bear.

The families expressed their deep appreciation to the Thai community in Los Angeles for their support and particularly for the religious ceremonies held at Wat Thai Los Angeles on August 11.